Morning rush commuters in Mineola the morning after a lightning strike knocked out power and stranded commuters for hours. (credit: Mona Rivera/1010 WINS)
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – A clean environment, safe ride, accurate and timely information and courteous employees are just a few of the promises the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is making to rail customers in their new commuter bill of rights.
In its “Pledge to Customers” the MTA also promised to step up efforts to find seats for every Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North rider.
EXTRAS: LIRR Pledge | Metro-North Pledge
The MTA is also outlining its game plane in case of a service disruption, making clear the steps that will be taken to provide alternative transportation, maintain customer comfort and ensure that communications with customers remains a top priority.
“By letting customers know what we are going to do — of course, safety is our highest priority — but customer service is as well a very high priority and we want customers to know that and all of the things we are going to do to ensure that,” MTA spokesman Sam Zambuto told 1010 WINS.
Metro-North and the LIRR will also be waiving the $10 processing fee on refunds for tickets when a service suspension is posted on the MTA website.
Officials said they came up with the bill after talking to commuters and railroad advocacy groups.
Both railroads will be distributing copies of their pledge on trains and at stations in the coming weeks.
